The three-runway system at the airport has begun operations, with Chief Executive John Lee attending the commissioning ceremony on Thursday. As Elvis Yu reports, authorities have hailed it as an historic moment for the city's aviation development.

Dr Law Cheung-kwok, senior advisor of the Chinese University's Aviation Policy and Research Centre, told Ben Tse the three-runway system would significantly help boost the airport's capacity:

Chief Executive John Lee has called on business leaders to help with Hong Kong's bid to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or Rcep, the world's largest free trade agreement. As Damon Pang reports, Lee said the growing partnerships between the SAR and Asean countries clearly show the city is ready to join the bloc.

Ocean Park says it's recorded a deficit of more than HK$71 million for the financial year ending in June. That's despite posting a five-year high in revenue and visitor numbers. As Frank Yung reports, the theme park said it's banking on its six giant pandas to drive up park attendance and income.

Former Ocean Park chairman Allan Zeman, told Carol Musgrave that promoting the "panda economy" would be key to the theme park's success going forward:

The Tourism Board is encouraging restaurants, hotels and attractions to enhance their Muslim-friendly offerings by obtaining Halal certifications. The aim is to enrich the experience of Muslim visitors in Hong Kong. Becky Ip, deputy executive director of the board, said the potential and spending power of Muslim consumers must not be underestimated, and told Hailey Yip the SAR is committed to expanding its outreach to visitors from Middle Eastern and Asean markets:

Chief Executive John Lee has hinted that there could soon be news on the government's request to make it easier for mainland residents to come to Hong Kong. Kelly Yu reports:

The government has warned that technology-related crimes are on the rise in Hong Kong, and to tackle them, it's vowed to work with other jurisdictions. Frank Yung has this report:

A survey conducted by the Hong Kong Christian Service suggests that men feel less included in society than women. The overall inclusion score was about 70 out of 100, which the group views as "average". But men scored lower than women in every aspect. Lead researcher Jackie Chan spoke to Elvis Yu:

South Korea is grappling with heavy snowfall for a second day, with dozens of flights cancelled, ferry operations suspended and at least four people killed in snow-related accidents. But as Natale Ching reports, the weather is expected to improve over the coming days.

Russia has unleashed its second big attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in less than two weeks, triggering deep power cuts to a million homes across the country. President Vladimir Putin said it was in response to Ukraine's strikes on Russian territory with US missiles. Putin said future targets could include "decision-making centres" in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of a "despicable escalation". The attacks have amplified fears the Kremlin aims to cripple Ukraine's power generation capacity before winter. Jamie Clarke reports:

Australia has passed a law to ban social media for children aged under 16 after days of heated debate. The law, expected to take effect in November 2025, sets some of the toughest social media controls in the world. It will force platforms to take reasonable steps to ensure age-verification protections are in place. Enie Lam - a 16-year-old student in Sydney - says she is against the ban:

A Chinese survivor from a shipwreck in Egypt's Red Sea has recalled his moments of horror aboard the vessel. The cruise ship, carrying some 44 people, sank on Monday. Authorities say 34 survivors were rescued and four bodies were recovered while another seven people remain missing. Jamie Clarke reports:

The Foreign Ministry says three Chinese citizens have returned home, after the White House said three Americans jailed in China had been released and were heading back to the United States. Natale Ching reports:

Now to a heart-warming story of two gamers from opposite sides of the world who have met for the first time after over a decade of friendship. The pair, from Australia and the UK, first bonded while gaming online in 2012. But their friendship grew deeper when tragedy struck. Jamie Clarke tells us more:

In football, Hong Kong side Eastern have been eliminated from contention in the AFC Champions League Two, after losing to Australian side Sydney FC at the Mong Kok Stadium on Thursday night. RTHK's Asia football correspondent, Chris KL Lau, was at the game and shared this post-match report: